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Ergonomic Risk Factors and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among University Laboratory Researchers  

Lee, Yun Keun (Wonjin Institute for Occupational and Environmental Health)
Lee, Ik Mo (Department of chemistry, Inha University)
Park, Jeong Im (Department of Environmental Health Science, Soonchunhyang University)
Yoon, Chung Sik (School of Public Health, Seoul National University)
Rhie, Kwang Won (Department of Safety Health Engineering, Hoseo University)
Park, Hee Sok (Department of Industrial Engineering, Hongik University)
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene / v.23, no.3, 2013 , pp. 307-314 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of symptoms relating to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and investigate the risk factors among researchers at university laboratories. Methods: 209 researchers were included in this study, drawn from 27 laboratories at three universities in Korea. Checklists for MSD symptoms and risk factor assessment were utilized. Results: The symptoms checklist showed reliable results with Cohen's Kappa 0.33-0.56, percent agreement 81.0-96.8%, and correlation coefficient 0.41-0.63. The overall prevalence of MSD symptoms was 68.9%, while the prevalence in specific parts of body were as follows: shoulders (47.6%), lower back (46.9%), neck (46.9%), knees (25.4%), wrists (20.1%), elbows (13.6%). The symptom prevalence among women was higher than among men (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.37-5.18). Daily exposure time was observed to be a significant risk factor for developing MSD symptoms (OR 2.14-6.07). Conclusions: This study suggested that repetitive pipetting and static work posture are the most significant risk factors for MSD symptoms among laboratory researchers.
Keywords
laboratory ergonomics; musculoskeletal disorders; checklist;
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